A question frequently asked by former President A.P.J Abdul Kalam, his recent death sent a shockwave across the world as people near and far mourned in the death of the humble man who once was. He was rushed into the ICU of Bethany Hospital after he collapsed during a lecture at IIM Shillong, only to be confirmed dead in the next two hours. Our very own Missile Man had lost his life to a massive cardiac arrest.
Wrapped in tricolour, his body was brought to the capital state where a proper tribute was given by President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He was given a military honour with a 21 gun salute, followed with an unparalleled gesture by 96-year-old Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh who set aside his physical shortcomings to say one last goodbye to Kalam. A seven-day national mourning has been declared by the Centre and both Houses of Parliament are likely to make obituary references and adjourn as a mark of respect to his memory. His last rites will be conducted in his home town Rameshawaram, Tamil Nadu.
Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam came from modest origins, slowly making his way from an aeronautical engineer in Madras Institute of Technology to Chief Scientific Advisor to Vajpayee, making himself instrumental in the Pokhran Nuclear Test, 1998, to becoming the People's President. Kalam, redefining the constitutional needs for the role of a state head, proved his mettle in what ever he did.
He was one of the very few scientists sent for training of sounding rockets at the National Aeronautics Space Agency in the US, by Dr Vikram Sarabhai. He became to be called the missile man, for his work on missile technologies in his tenure in defence research labs like the Defence Research and Development Laboratory, in the 1980s and the 1990s.
His unquestionable integrity, his constant contribution to different fields of academics, science and politics and his sparkling sense of humour, all made him the more of a legend, stuff that myths are made of. In his own way, the man who was down to earth and always in reach, seemed impervious.
Dr Kalam has many works to his name; he is mostly known for the development of five missiles, Prithvi, Trishul, Akash, Nag and Agni and, his best selling autobiography 'Wings of Fire'. However, one of the little known facts is that the man also has a medical invention to his name, a coronary stent built with missile composites that brought down the cost of heart stents from Rs 55,000 to Rs 10,000 in the 90s.
Kalam's Gujarat Connection
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam met Pramukh Swami, spiritual head of BAPS sect of Swaminarayan Sampraday in June 2001 at Gujarat Bhavan in a chance meeting. The relationship resulted in `Transcendence - My Spiritual Experiences with Pramukh Swamiji', 14 years later as the book was released at Sarangpur in Gujarat on June 20. It was the last of Kalam's 15 books.
Dr Kalam co-wrote the book with Prof Arun Tiwari which tells of the exchange of ideas. “I made a promise to Pramukh Swami that I would write a book on his great spiritual life.
TodayI have fulfilled my promise,” he had said.
It was a friendship that both cherished even as they didn't know each other's language. In one meeting, Dr Kalam asked Pramukh Swami how one could connect to God's consciousness. Swami replied, “You are a rocket scientist. As long as there is gravity, whatever we throw up always comes down. Likewise, as long as we are attracted and attached to the material world, we are consigned to the cycle of birth and death. But as you get free from the `pull,' one would transcend and eventually connect to God,” said a BAPS official on the former president's frequent visits.
One of the last people to be by his side in his last moments was his adviser Srijan Pal Singh, who will perhaps live the remaining of his life replaying the final day he spent with Kalam. In a touching tribute to the scientist, he wrote on Social Media,
“ 'Students should never be made to wait,' he always said. As I pinned his mike, he smiled and said, 'Funny guy! Are you doing well?' 'Funny guy', when said by Kalam, could mean a variety of things, depending on the tone and your own assessment. It could mean, you have done well, you have messed up something, you should listen to him or just that you have been plain naive or he was just being jovial. Over six years, I had learnt to interpret 'Funny Guy' like the back of my palm. This time it was the last case. 'Funny guy! Are you doing well?' he said. I smiled back, 'Yes'. Those were the last words he said. Two minutes into the speech, sitting behind him, I heard a long pause after completing one sentence. I looked at him, he fell down.
In five minutes, we were in the nearest hospital. In another few minutes, they indicated the missile man had flown away, forever. I touched his feet, one last time. Adieu old friend! Grand mentor! See you in my thoughts and meet in the next birth.”
World leaders condoled the permanent absence of Abdul Kalam, all grieving over the loss in their own ways. Russian leader Vladimir Putin termed him an “outstanding scientist and a wise statesman” who had done a lot to strengthen Indo-Russian friendship and “mutually beneficial” cooperation. “It is difficult to overestimate his personal contribution to social, economic, scientific and technical progress of India and in ensuring its national security. In Russia, Abdul Kalam will be remembered as a consistent exponent of closer friendly relations between our nations who has done a lot for cementing mutually beneficial Russian-Indian cooperation,” he said in his message.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadela tweeted “RIP @APJAbdulKalam...your teachings, leadership and humanity were inspiration to us all.”
Joining the string of people to share their thoughts over the heartaching event was UAE President Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan who sent his wishes to India through media.
If you would like to pay your homage to the former President, Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam on an online condolence book, please visit: https://www.hcilondon.in/kalam.php
